Germany are new Hockey World Cup champs

BHUBANESWAR: Germany rallied from a two-goal deficit to dethrone Belgium as the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup champions.

After both teams were tied 3-3 at the conclusion of regular time, the thrilling final at the Kalinga Stadium had to be decided in a penalty shootout, in which they held their nerves in the sudden death to win 5-4.

The title victory also meant that now Germany are the top team in the FIH Men’s World Outdoor Rankings.

According to an international news agency, Belgium went ahead in the first quarter with Florent Van Aubel collecting the ball after a deflection and smashing it powerfully into the backboard.

Moments later Tanguy Cosyns doubled Belgium’s lead, collecting a neat cross in front of the German goal for an easy tap-in. Germany reviewed the goal decision but it stood.

Early in the second quarter, Belgium’s keeper Vincent Vanasch saved a penalty stroke but just before half-time Niklas Wellen got one back for Germany.

Germany then scored through Gonzalo Peillat to make it 2-2 and in the final period captain Mats Grambusch squeezed a shot between Vanasch’s legs to go ahead 3-2.

But with under two minutes remaining, Belgium’s Tom Boon equalised from a penalty corner, taking the game into a shootout. This went to sudden death and Germany won 5-4.

This was Germany’s third World Cup gold medal. They are now level with Australia and the Netherlands in terms of the number of World Cup titles. Pakistan have won the tournament four times.

Earlier in the day, the Netherlands defeated Australia 3-1 in the third place playoff to finish with a bronze medal.

Germany have accumulated 2,912 points to stand atop the world rankings while the Netherlands’ effort in the World Cup have helped them climb one spot and they are now ranked No. 2 with 2,848 points.

Belgium (2,845) are third, followed by Australia (2,792), England (2,536), India (2,478), Argentina (2,260), Spain (2,093), Korea (1,942) and New Zealand (1,899) in the top-10 line-up.